by Patrick L. Cahalan

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Italian

Here’s a couple of shots of some sculptures in the museums and grounds of the Vatican. This one to start was pilfered from Egypt. Theft is kind of a theme with Vatican art – that or spending church money on it. See also the obelisk in St. Peter’s Square – not native to Italy, that’s for sure!

But still, the kitty is cute.

Vatican Sculpture II

Now on to Grecian and Greek-inspired art.

And here’s Hermes, a.k.a. Mercury for the Romans.

Vatican Sculpture IV

This one’s an odd piece of a piece, but I liked it. Next, some items from the pre-Roman, Etruscan era.

Vatican Sculpture V

This is a casket, but I particularly like the dog at the base of it. For being so-called primitive artists, it’s amazing how lifelike this is!

Vatican Sculpture VI

And this is the side of a piece of pottery. Not too fancy, but I liked the lion.

Next time, paintings from the Vatican, a.k.a. the more famous stuff. Plus an explainer on why photos are a mega-size no-no in the Sistine Chapel.

Welcome to the heart of Ancient Rome, the Forum. Couple thousand years back, you’d have seen a bunch of dudes in togas milling about, buying and selling, arguing about politics and religion, and so on.

Yeah, so not much changes, except thankfully for better hygiene. Not sure whether I’m glad or not that Emperor Vespasian introducing pay-only public toilets (still referred to locally as Vespasiana).

Roman Forum II

Here’s a view in infrared from the entrance from nearer the south end, looking northward. The remains of the Temple of Vesta are on the left, and the Temple of Caesar on the right.

Roman Forum III

And here’s another of the Temple of Caesar, from the front.

Roman Forum IV

This is actually outside the forum. Looking toward the middle, you’ll see a smaller arch (the Arch of Titus, wherein is depicted the sack of Jerusalem in the 1st century). That’s the southern end of the forum. The larger arch in the foreground is the more famous Arch of Constantine, and the photos taken from the 3rd level of the colosseum.

Roman Forum V

And some ground level color, from within the forum proper.

Roman Forum VI

And finally, this is from the top of Palatine Hill (behind the Temple of Vesta), where the likes of Augustus lived. Not a bad view from pup here, huh?

Side note, I was expecting much gnarlier hills in Rome. Guess that’s what seeing San Francisco as a child gets me. Palatine’s nothing next to Taylor Street!

The “something old” I’m referring to is stereotypes. Because really, Italy + romance = cliche, no? When I was wandering the basilica gardens at the top of Aventine Hill, this couple really stood out in the early morning gloom with St. Peter’s in the background.

I thought about it before bothering with the shot, since it does have a “been there done that” quality to it. But then again, so do postcard shots, and that’s no reason to stop doing those, so I figured, what the hell, go for it – and play around and see what I can get.

Happily, the couple in question was utterly oblivious. As well they should have been.

So here’s an alternate version …

Happy Couple, Vertical Shot

And a wider shot, but in infrared …

Happy Couple, Infrared

The top shot is definitely the more stereotypical, but I really like the 3rd one as well.

Now onto something new … starting next week, I’m going to commence a new project: photographing day to day activities and trying to make them look interesting. I expect I’ll be doing more post-production and more shots on my phone, but I’m curious to see what I can come up with. That, and no travel plans for a few months, boo! But the next trip DID just get paid for, so time to plan, plan, plan for that one …